Metal wheel and method of making the same



Dec. 22, 1936. D. M. HESTER METAL WHEEL AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed Aug. 12, 19:55

FIG.- 2

Fla-1' FIG-3 INVENTOR DONALD M. HESTER Patented Dec. 22, 1936 UNITED STATES METAL WHEEL AND METHOD or MAKING THE SAME Donald M. Hester, Lakewood, Ohio Application August 12, 1935, Serial No. 35,756

6 Claims.

This invention relates to wheels of sheet metal and the invention contemplates the production of a novel wheel of such character, for automotive purposes or the like, by a novel method.

Principal objects of the invention are to produce at a minimum cost a wheel having maximum strength; and to these ends to produce from strip or sheet stock, substantially without scrap, a wheel of homogeneous construction.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Figs. 1 and 2 are typical longitudinal section and end elevation, respectively, illustrating the form of the material at an early stage of the method;

Figs. 3 and 4 are similar views illustrating the same at an intermediate stage of the operations;.

and l 7 Figs. 5 and 6 are similar views illustrating a completed wheel, with associatedparts indicated in broken lines; the drawing thus indicating the manner of production of the wheel shown, and the latter being of automotive type as typically illustrative of the invention.

With reference now to the drawing, the wheel is made from sheet metal stock preferably of strip form and continuous throughout its length. The first operation is to provide from the stock strip, by bending into a circle and butt welding a band of uniform section and strength throughout. If the stock be of flat section, the resultant band will be cylindrical, and the strip may be of rectangular form so that its ends meet at the weld a in a straight line, all as illustrated Figs. 1 and 2;

The metal or this band is next worked radially inwardly, intermediate the edges of the band and relative to the metal at the edges, the latter being preferably simultaneously worked radially outwardly, until an annulus is formed, such as indicated, Figs. 3 and 4, whose characteristics in typical section are generally that of a V or U as indicated, Fig. 3.

By similar successive operations the working of the metal is continued, moving the radially innermost metal further inwardly toward the center until ultimately the characteristic section approaches a deep V. These operations are preferably accomplished by tools progressing circumferentially of the annulus, as will be appreciated by one familiar with the art.

The inner part oi the annulus is thereafter collapsed upon itself longitudinally of its axis, and the peripheral parts formed outwardly as indicated, Fig. 5, to produce a wheel having generally an annular disc part I and thereabout a rim part 2.

The disc part I has two thicknesses of the original sheet stock, comprising a pair of sheet members in overlying relation and integrally interconnected by a bend 3 at the inner edge or" the annulus. The wheel being intended for automotive purposes, its disc part is suitably formed with this in view, and may have the configuration indicated in Figs. 5 and 6 it intended to have hub mounting by bolting direct to the brake drum A or the like of the vehicle to be served. For receiving such mounting bolts, the disc part is provided with through longitudinal perforations 4 at ciroumierentially spaced intervals. Such mounting is advantageous in that the two sheet members of the disc part of the wheel are thus additionally secured with clamping effect by the mounting bolts. The members of the disc part are interconnected as by welding adjacent the rim part 2, as at 5, either at circumferentially spaced intervals or continuously about the circumference. The disc part may also be perforated at intervals as at 6 to simulate spokes between the perforations 6, or otherwise treated to afiect the appearance of the wheel.

Therim part 2 of the wheel comprises two members 22 and 21', each a continuation of one of the members of the disc part. Where a pneumatic tire is to be mounted upon the rim part, as in the automotive wheel illustrated, its two members 21 and 21 extend oppositely from the general central plane of the wheel as indicated and are formed to provide a central annular depression 20 which serves in mounting and demounting the tire, as will be appreciated. If the wheel be intended for other purposes, the members which form the rim part may be otherwise suitably configured.

It is to be observed that the disc part of the wheel being of two thicknesses of metal sheet and the rim part of a single thickness only, the disc has the necessary greater strength than the rim for maximum over-all strength in the wheel to give approximately equalized distribution of stresses therethrough in service. Also, in the described working of the metal to form the wheel, the tendency may be to increase thickness of the sheet with decreasing radius from the wheel center, so that the sheet will have somewhat greater thickness at the disc part of the wheel than at the rim part, which is also desirable for maximum strength.

While the wheel illustrated is of demountable automotive type for a pneumatic tire, it will be appreciated that wheels of other types for other purposes might be made according to this invention. The invention embraces a homogeneous wheel having a disc part of double thickness of metal and a rim part therabout, which rim part might be of two members separated from each other as herein specifically ,illustrated, of two members in overlying relation, or of a single member only dependent upon the intended purposes of the wheel. Further, if the wheel is for application in the automotive art, wherein the present tendency is to enlarge brake drum diameter relative to rim diameter, the disc part of the wheel might have less radial dimension than herein specifically illustrated and might have its innermost part formed to provide flange means for connection with a brake drumall within the scope of this invention and as will be appreciated by one familiar with the art. While I have herein specifically illustrated and described the production of a wheel from flat strip stock from which the immediately resultant band is cylindrical, it will be appreciated that my invention is not limited thereto, but rather its scope is defined by the claims hereof.

What I claim is:

l. A wheel of the class described, comprising a single sheet of metal formed to provide an annular disc part having two thicknesses of said sheet interconnected by a bend at the inner edge of the annulus, and a rim part about said disc part and comprising two members, each integral with and a continuation of one of the sheet members of said disc part, all of said members being welded together opposite said bend.

2. The method of forming a wheel from a strip of sheet metal stock comprising welding together the ends of said strip to provide a circular band, working the metal intermediate the edges of said band radially inwardly relative to the metal at said edges, and closing together longitudinally the radially innermost portions of theresulting annulus to provide a wheel disc part of two thicknesses of said metal sheet, with a rim part thereabout.

3. The method of forming a wheel from a strip of sheet metal stock comprising welding together the ends of said strip to provide a circular band, working the metal intermediate the edges of said band radially inwardly relative to the metal at said edges, closing together longitudinally the radially innermost portions of the resulting annulus to provide a wheel disc part of two thicknesses of said metal sheet, and spreading apart longitudinally the radially outermost portions of said annulus to provide a wheel rim part of two members, each a single thickness of said metal sheet.

4. The method of forming a wheel from a circular band of sheet metal, comprising working the metal intermediate the edges of said band radially inwardly relative to the metal at said edges, and closing together longitudinally a radially inner portion of the resulting annulus relative to a radially outer portion thereof to provide a wheel disc part with a rim part thereabout.

5. The method of forming a wheel from a circular band of sheet metal, comprising work.- ing the metal adjacent the edges of said band radially outwardly relative to the metal medial thereof, and closing together longitudinally a radially inner portion of the resulting annulus relative to a radially outer portion thereof to provide a wheel disc part with a rim part thereabout.

6. The method of forming a wheel from a circular band of sheet metal, comprising working the metal intermediate the edges of said band radially inwardly relative to the metal at said edges, and the metal at said edges radially outwardly relative to the metal intermediate said edges, and closing together longitudinally a radially inner portion of the resulting annulus relative to a radially outer portion thereof to provide a wheel disc part with a rim part thereabout.

DONALD M. HESTER. 

